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Help for Carers > Illnesses, conditions and disabilities > Learning difficulties

Learning difficulties

You are not alone
Studies show that about 0.6% of people in the UK have learning difficulties; of whom almost all the children and about two thirds of the adults live with their families.
As a carer of someone with a learning difficulty or disability some of the things you may be concerned about will include:
  • their physical safety
  • how well they can communicate with others
  • how best to help them towards becoming as independent as possible

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Small icon of an envelope representing Information You can get more information about learning difficulties and learning disabilities from:

  • www.mencap.org.uk - national voluntary organisation working with people with learning disabilities, their carers and families
  • www.learningdisabilities.org.uk - Foundation for People with Learning Disabilities aims to promote the rights of people with learning disabilities. Website contains much information including downloadable leaflets on a range of issues.
  • www.bild.org.uk - British Institute of Learning Disabilities carries out policy and research, training, and produces publications and information
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- help wanted
Helen McGrath-Doherty is compiling a publication for parents and professionals which is intended to be a practical, easy to use, problem-solving guide of suggestions and tips for parents, carers and professionals encountering day to day issues. This compilation is part of a new learning disabilities charity being set up by Linda Goldberg and Deborah Gundle. All contributors who ideas are original and published in the book will be sent a complimentary copy. Email suggestions to
[email protected]

The Association for Real Change are undertaking a three year project to develop a web-based knowledge centre on mental health for people with a learning difficulty. It is for families, carers and front line social care staff and aims to provide clear and accessible information and resources on mental health in learning disability, including what is, and how to promote, positive mental health, the differences between emotional distress and learning disability and specific issues such as bipolar disorder, dementia and depression. For more information visit www.clearthoughts.info

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Small icon of an envelope representing Information Diagnosed conditions

Diagnosed conditions which might be associated with the person you care for include:
  • Spina Bifida
  • Hydrocephalus
  • Cerebral Palsy
  • Down's Syndrome

You can get more information about these conditions from:
  • www.scope.org.uk - Scope is a national disability organisation focused on people with cerebral palsy. Runs local services and support
  • www.sasbah.org.uk Sussex Association for Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus which provides local services and support
  • www.downs-syndrome.org.uk - Down's Syndrome Association, helping people with Down's Syndrome to live full and rewarding lives.

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Icon showing a help image There are people who can help:

There is a county-wide service for people with learning difficulties - Community Team for People with Learning Disabilities. More information can be found at www.westsussex.gov.uk

This is a specialist multi-disciplinary Community Team for people with learning difficulties which aims to provide a co-ordinated service for people over 14 with severe learning difficulties and brings together people from the following professions:
  • community learning disability nursing
  • speech and language therapy
  • social work
  • psychiatry
  • clinical psychology
  • occupational therapy
  • physiotherapy

Professionals offer an assessment of needs of the person with the learning difficulty and their carers and help identify services and support to meet those needs. Professional services include skills training, counselling, advocacy, management of physical and mobility needs, help in addressing emotional, relationship and behavioural difficulties and provision of information. The team offers a specialist service, supporting individuals and carers over a range of problems.

Carers can contact the West Sussex Community Teams direct:
  • For the Chichester area:
    72 Stockbridge Road, Chichester PO19 2QJ
    Tel: 01243 781421
    Fax: 01243 783919
    [email protected]
  • For the Worthing area:
    1 St Georges Road, Worthing BN11 2DS
    Tel: 01903 843350
    Fax: 01903 843351
  • For Horsham and Crawley:
    Martyn Long Centre, 78 Crawley Road, Horsham RH12 4HN
    Tel: 01403 225100
    Fax: 01403 225143

West Sussex Carers Support Services (formerly West Sussex Carers Network)

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